The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

Mark Waters

Writers (WGA):

Karey Kirkpatrick (screenplay) and
David Berenbaum (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

14 February 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Family | Fantasy

Tagline:

Their World Is Closer Than You Think

Plot:

Upon moving into the run-down Spiderwick Estate with their mother, twin brothers Jared and Simon Grace, along with their sister Mallory, find themselves pulled into an alternate world full of faeries and other creatures.

Plot Keywords:

Dysfunctional Family | Basilisk | Actor Playing Multiple Roles | Family Relationships | Friendship

Awards:

1 win & 6 nominations

Cast

Freddie Highmore	...	Jared / Simon
Mary-Louise Parker	...	Helen
Nick Nolte	...	Mulgarath
Sarah Bolger	...	Mallory
Andrew McCarthy	...	Richard
Joan Plowright	...	Aunt Lucinda
David Strathairn	...	Arthur Spiderwick
Seth Rogen	...	Hogsqueal (voice)
Martin Short	...	Thimbletack (voice)
Jordy Benattar	...	Young Lucinda
Tod Fennell	...	Helen's Co-Worker
Mariah Inger	...	Nurse
Jeremy Lavalley	...	Tow Truck Driver
Lise Durocher-Viens	...	Mrs. Spiderwick
Tyler Patrick Jones	...	Additional Performer

Also Known As:

The Spiderwick Chronicles: The IMAX Experience (USA) (IMAX version)

MPAA:

Rated PG for scary creature action and violence, peril and some thematic elements.

Runtime:

96 min | 107 min (unrated version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | SDDS | DTS | Sonics-DDP (IMAX version)

Certification:

Sweden:11 | Norway:11 | Netherlands:6 | Australia:PG | Singapore:PG | South Korea:All | Ireland:PG | Finland:K-11 | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | South Africa:10M | Canada:G (Manitoba/Quebec) | Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Ontario) | UK:PG | Philippines:G (MTRCB) | USA:PG (certificate #43900) | Malaysia:U | Portugal:M/12 | Argentina:Atp | Germany:6 | Peru:PT | New Zealand:PG | Germany:12 (DVD rating) | Iceland:7

Filming Locations:

Montréal, Québec, Canada

Company:

Kennedy/Marshall Company, The

Trivia:

Film prints were shipped to some theaters under the fake title "Widow".

Goofs:

Continuity: In order to kill a goblin from above, Jared pops a bag full of tomato sauce on it. He holds the bag over his head but there is no sauce on him in the next shot.

Quotes:

Jared Grace: And they say *I've* got anger issues.

Movie Connections:

References "Star Trek" (1966)

Comparing to Harry Potter...

This is being compared to Harry Potter? That is completely ridiculous. Some idiotic critics are saying "This movie isn't like Harry Potter, therefore, it's terrible" This movie is an amazing example of a fantasy movie, and one that doesn't cut much out, unlike Harry Potter. This movie has great acting, especially by the dual-part playing Freddie Highmore, who loses his British accent quite convincingly. Also, Sarah Bolger and Mary-Louise Parker do superb jobs with their acting considering it's mostly a four-person cast. (Excluding voice overs) The special effects alone are amazing. If you don't like this movie, you have to admit, the special effects were amazing. If there were a sequel, I would most definitely see it as long as it has the same actors, special effects team, and director.